• Bracewell named in New Zealand ODI squads for 50-over series.
• He replaced Matt Henry, who was ruled out of trip with abdominal strain.
• Henry picked up injury on penultimate day of second Test.

New Zealand has named pace-bowling all-rounder Doug Bracewell to their ODI squads for the forthcoming 50-overs series against Pakistan and India, replacing the injured Matt Henry.

Henry was ruled out of the trip after suffering an abdominal strain on the penultimate day of the second Test in Karachi, which required two to four weeks of rest and rehabilitation.

Bracewell, who has 68 international caps to his name, most recently appeared in the home ODI series against the Netherlands last April, according to a media release issued by New Zealand Cricket on Sunday.

The 32-year-old has been playing well for the Central Stags with both the bat and the ball at home. He began the season as one of the top wicket-takers in the Plunket Shield, and more recently he displayed his bat skills by making significant contributions for the Stags in the Super Smash.

Bracewell will arrive in Karachi on Wednesday local time, according to coach Gary Stead. He claimed that Henry’s logical replacement in the ODI team was Bracewell.

“Doug is a quality bowler with a lot of experience and we feel his skills best complement the bowling mix we already have in the squads for Pakistan and India. He has experience across all three formats at the international level, has experience in the subcontinent, and has already shown his range of skills this season,” Stead was quoted as saying.

Stead expressed sympathy for Henry, who picked up the injury on the final day of a hard-fought Test in Karachi.

“Matt has been one of the leaders of our ODI attack for several years and I know he’s disappointed to be missing out because of injury. With important home series coming up, it’s vital he has time to recover properly over the coming weeks,” he said.

Because Henry is recovering from Covid 19, bowler Jacob Duffy, who will take Tim Southee’s position in the ODI squad in India, was unable to go sooner.

As they continue to recover from or manage ailments, bowlers Kyle Jamieson (back) of the Auckland Aces and Adam Milne (side) and Ben Sears (back) of the Wellington Firebirds were also ineligible for selection.

On Monday, the ODI Series against Pakistan will begin in Karachi, while on January 18, the ODI Series versus India will begin in Hyderabad.

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